Traveling too much of Africa is intimidating. Years of headlines, let alone the complications of getting there, are foreboding enough. But South Africa has come to establish itself as a gateway to the larger continent for travelers around the world. When packing for a South African safari, versatility is key; here's everything you'll need.

A year's worth of college puts you on a separate plane than the eager fresh faces that've just been let off the parental leash for the first time in their lives. There's a wisdom that comes with knowing the ropes -- like avoiding classes that meet more than twice a week, or where to find grease at any godforsaken hour. You've also made friends (some probably for life) and finally have a say over where you live and who you live with. Craft a smart plan, lean on your parents, and with a little bit of luck your new home might actually be a house. You've earned the extra space, now make it your own.

Made from lightweight, wicking, breathable fabrics like merino wool, polypropylene and a host of proprietary fabrics, sports underwear designed for active guys keeps you cool and dry without bunching up when you move.

Summer is the enemy of body temperature and presentability. But a crop of new companies is combining technical fabrics and quality cuts for easy breathing style. That isn't to say we're willing to ditch our madras and seersucker just yet, but here are 10 of our favorite lightweight shirt options, new and old.

When the season changes from twenty degrees and snow to forty degrees and rain, it's time to update the outerwear. Sometimes you need a coat that's lightweight and waterproof, while also being paradoxically windproof and breathable. These are the best.

You've done it: flight, rental car and hotel booked, $1,700 Gold Badge purchased. You are about to attend the most diversified festival in the country -- SXSW. Now it's time to pack. What does one take to this event featuring A-list celebs, billion dollar corporations and the CEOs of the next big thing? Here's what we brought to stay connected, light on our feet and ready to make a strong first impression for all those meet-and-greet networking sessions (not to mention the VIP parties).

Whether you're training for a ski mountaineering race or just sick of shivering on your morning commute, staying warm and dry is objective number one. The base layer you choose to wear while doing battle with the elements can't guarantee success, but it sure as hell can guarantee ruin. But have hope. New synthetic fabrics offer amazing moisture-wicking properties, while merino wool is experiencing a renaissance with temperature regulating properties that are borderline miraculous. We've done the leg work to find the best base layers for every outdoor activity and situation for upcoming winters, falls and springs.

Patagonia has always been a company with one foot in the mountains and one in the sea -- climbing and skiing one day, surfing and paddling the next. When they introduced wetsuits to their lineup a few years ago, it was a big leap for the company, but not one they were unqualified to make. In fact, their experience building warm, lightweight and bombproof alpine gear transferred well to wetsuits, which we found out recently while testing the R1 wetsuit during a week of diving in Belize.

Packing for a tropical getaway usually only involves deciding what color swim trunks to pack. But when your plans include jungle hiking, cave exploration and scuba diving, things get a little more complicated. The key is versatility -- you need gear that works underground or underwater just as well as it does topside. For our week in Belize we made sure everything we took did more than just one thing well. This saved space in our luggage and let us be nimble yet well prepared. Here’s a sampling of what we took.

There’s no such thing as bad weather -- only bad gear. And in the age of industrial manufacturing and waterproof fabrics, there’s no good excuse for bad gear. Modern hardshell jackets are designed to provide a first layer of defense between you and the elements, whether “the elements” are an alpine whiteout or an afternoon thunderstorm. They’re the crown jewel of any outdoor kit: they’ll keep you warm, they’ll keep you dry, and most of them weigh less than a pair of blue jeans.

'Tis the season of calorie intake, so keeping one's running regimen going strong should be a priority. Thing is, winter weather -- the snow, slush and cold -- is prohibitive at best. Fortunately, gentlemen, we have options. These are the best winter running shoes for facing the cold on pavement, trails and mountains.

It seems some folks jump straight from shirtsleeves to parkas when the autumn leaves begin to fall. No, vests are for those in-between days, the time when one extra layer over a thick sweater, a mug of hot cider and the company of a loved one is all we need to keep warm during a stroll through the park. But even when the atmosphere turns up the a/c, a vest beneath your overcoat does wonders; after all, 'tis the season to layer and layer some more. We've rounded up the best quilted vests -- each fashionable and cozy in its own right.

Bacons Of The World Stop whining. We don’t care that you’re just emerging from your post-turkey bloat and tryptophan fog. Fact is, there’s never a bad time for bacon — especially if it’s the best bacon the globe has to offer. We’re talking four installments, each five pounds of heavenly hog meat ecstasy. With each...

If there's one constant in almost all mountain activities, it's that sooner or later you're going to come across nasty weather. It doesn't matter if you're chasing big walls in Yosemite, powder lines in Courcheval or summit days in the Canadian Rockies -- staying warm is the difference between owning a harrowing expedition and bailing back to civilization with your tail between your legs. Patagonia's Special Edition Encapsil Down Belay Parka ($699), a perfect fusion of purpose-driven engineering and uncommon design, is the most formidable backcountry armor on the market.

We've all got a guy in our lives who's more at home chopping a cord of wood or filleting his latest fly fishing catch than spending the day lazing in front of the TV or playing Halo with the bros. He'd wear flannel and hiking boots to board meetings if he could. For that ultimate outdoorsman on your gift list this year, forego the REI gift card and DVD set of Duck Dynasty. Whether he spends his time hunting big game, scouring the river for the best brook trout lies, or just enjoys living in front of a campfire instead of a laptop, we've got the best gifts for the modern day backwoodsman.

Nokia Lumia 1020 Ever get passed by an eighteen wheeler while driving a Mini? That’s what it’ll be like comparing the pictures your current phone takes with the 41MP beasts the new 1020 cranks out. Thanks to a ball-bearing-stabilized Carl Zeiss lens setup and a pretty serious image sensor, your panoramas are about to get...

When an outdoor titan like Patagonia states they've invented the highest-performing down technology available anywhere and stuffed it into "the finest down parka ever made" -- you should pay attention.

The outdoorsman on your list is easily identifiable: he’s rarely home and smells faintly of man sweat and wood smoke when you do catch him between excursions. His particular passion falls within an extensive of range possible pursuits (noodling for catfish, anyone?), but one thing is for certain — he does them outside. His look...

Taking a swim sounds nice this summer, but only if you’re a safe and willing participant. Patagonia River Crampons ($200) are the latest invention in “don’t tumble into fast-moving water” technology, and if you’re a serious fisherman they’re a worthy purchase. The crampons strap over your wading boots using a simple harness system and are...

Pathos — that’s relevant experience and credibility for you non-rhetorically adroit folk — is everything when it comes to how-to books. That’s why The Responsible Company: What We’ve Learned From Patagonia’s First 40 Years ($20) gets two green thumbs up from us. Written by Patagonia’s founder and owner Yvon Chouinard and the co-editor of the...

In 1996, founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, changed the clothing industry with the move to organic cotton. The big dogs, such as Wal-Mart, are finally following suit. Now, 16 years later, Chouinard plans on once again changing an industry –- but this time, it’s the fishing industry. Salmon has been a hot topic of controversy,...

This week we’re reporting from Edinburgh, UK, and seeing things through the traveler’s lens (more on Edinburgh in the coming weeks). In that spirit, this week’s picks are all about seeing familiar things from a different perspective. We’ve also got two recipes that celebrate the changing of the seasons, which is exactly what happened this...

The Stormfront Pack ($279) is any simple outdoor adventurer’s dream. Its beefed-up backpack form is made of 840-denier double polyurethane-coated nylon fabric (that’s science-speak for “super waterproof stuff”) and features a waterproof zipper system, an internal custom-fit padded gear case complete with adjustable divider, and even a separate zippered mesh pocket. The Pack’s backpack harness...

If you believe the commercials, buying candy, cards, jewlery and flowers on February 14th is the ideal way to commemorate love. We happen to think Dan Riordan at Gnarly Bay Productions has a better approach. A Story for Tomorrow was filmed over five weeks by Dan while traveling through Chile & Patagonia with his girlfriend...

The first in a series of upcoming editions, photo artist Bruce Percy has compiled 40 of his incredible photoworks into The Art of Adventure: 40 Photographic Examples (~$61). Spanning the waterfalls of Iceland, to the Bolivian Altiplano, to Nepalese buddhists, each photo — like Patagonia’s Pehoe Curve (pictured above) — are stunning examples of Percy’s...

Light is good. Light, warm and water-repellent are just that much better, especially when it comes to outerwear. No doubt this fall will bring the kind of weather where you want to be prepared yet mobile and versatile. The new Patagonia Ultralight Down Jacket ($279) will allow you to do just that with its lightweight...

The modern fly fishing wader has only seen a moderate degree of innovation since the introduction of breathable construction materials. With breathability came increased comfort and performance compared to heavy and hot neoprene or plastic materials, but designers have essentially been tweaking and adjusting a basic model that no one built better than Simms Fishing…...

The Patagonia Black Hole Duffel ($130), as its name suggests, is a cavernous deposit for all of your gear. This ultra-tough bag is constructed with waterproof fabric and water-resistant zippers and seams. Padded on the bottom to protect your breakables, the Black Hole Duffel features a u-shaped lid for easy access to the main compartment....

Outdoor lovers are well aware of Patagonia as a brand, and have probably spent plenty of time browsing through the companies unique and decidely epic catalogs. Unexpected: 30 Years of Patagonia Catalog Photography ($49) is compendium of over 100+ images submitted by customers and professional wilderness photographers over the last 30 years (of which they...

Should you ever be in the unfortunate situation of being stranded in the winter, most survivalists advise that you stay in your vehicle and wait for help. This, of course, is the wisest course of action. Should you find it absolutely necessary to leave your vehicle to get help (for a loved one in medical...